The Ellora
caves, locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ is located on the
Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road at a distance of 29 km north-northwest of
Aurangabad, the district headquarters. The name Ellora itself inspires
everyone as it represents one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple
complexes in the entire world. Ellora is also world famous for the
largest single monolithic excavation in the world, the great Kailasa
(Cave 16). The visit to these caves is enjoyed maximum during monsoon,
when every stream is filled with rainwater, and the entire environ is
lush green. The monsoon is not only a season of rains in this part,
the local visitors are attracted to visit these ideal locations to
have a glimpse of the mother nature in full bloom.

The caves are hewn out of the volcanic basaltic formation of
Maharasthra, known as ‘Deccan Trap’, the term trap being of
Scandinavian origin representing the step like formation of the
volcanic deposits. The rock formation, on weathering has given rise to
the appearance of terraces with flat summits.

Buddha
Sculpture

At Ellora, one can also
have a glimpse of the channels (near Cave 32) through which the
volcanic lava once flowed. These channels, due to overheating, have a
characteristic brownish red colour. Similar rock was used in the
construction of the Grishneshwar Temple nearby and also utilised for
the flooring of the pathways at Bibi-ka-Maqbara.

Tourist Attraction in Ellora

Buddhist
CavesThe
sculptures in these Buddhist caves represents the dignity, elegance
and tranquillity that the Buddha have. Cave 6 and 10 have images from
the Hindu and Buddhist faiths under the same roof. The Vishvakarma cave is both a Vihara and a Chaitya and a Buddha is
seated in the stupa in the cave. Its double - storied structure
support a colorful procession of dwarfs who dance and play musical
instruments. It was carved out of a solid rock to provide sanctuaries
to Buddhist monks.

Kailasa TempleThe Kailasa temple is in cave 16. It is a masterpiece in itself. The
whole structure was carved out of a single block of rock by hand and
took over a century to complete. One of the largest monoliths of the
world is the amusement at the mountain-abode of Lord Shiva. Unlike
other temples which are generally built form the base upwards, the
architect or sculptor involved here started carving from the sides and
top. It is 50 meters in length, 33 meters wide and 30
meters high. The temple represents Kailash, Lord Shiva's home in
mountains. The temple is ornamented with sculptures, themes, incidents
and carvings from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and the
adventures of Krishna. The temple is closed on Tuesdays.

Hindu
CavesCave 15 is the best Hindu Cave in Ellora. It has the Das Avatara
(ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) and the amazing scene of Shiva and
Natraja emerging from a lingam. At the entrance of the Ramesvara Cave,
figures of river goddesses is situated. The Dumar Lena cave resembles
the great cave temple at Elephanta and is devoted to Lord Shiva.

Jain CavesAmong the Jain Caves, cave 32 is a beautiful temple decorated with
wonderful statues of a lotus flower on the roof and a magnificent
yakshi seated on her lion under a mango-tree laden with fruit. The
ceilings of this double storied cave are also ornamented with
paintings. While cave 32 and 34 contain large statues of Parasnath,
the other caves have the images of the Jain Trithankaras, and one of
them also has a seated figure of Mahavira.

Aurangabad Caves
The caves are situated 9 Kms from Aurangabad city, near Bibi Ka
Maqbara. The temple carved between the 6th and 8th century A.D.

Bibi Ka Maqbara
Built in 1679 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, this mausoleum is just
8 Kms from Aurangabad. The tomb was built by Aurangzeb in memory of
his wife Rabia-ud-Durrani.

Panchakki (Water Mill)
The Panchakki dates back to the Mughal period was built to commemorate
a Muslim saint Baba Shah Muzzafar. Built in 1624 A.D, the mill
deriving its name from a mill functioned by water power for grinding
corn.

Mountain Temples

Mountain Temples

Shiva Parvati Ravana

Shiva Matrikas

Ellora cave

Ellora cave

Ellora cave

Kailasha Temple

Main Prayer Hall

Main Prayer Hall

Kailash Pillar

Ellora cave

How to Reach Ellora

By Air
Aurangabad airport is situated caves of Ellora. almost 15 km away, the
airport is connected with the Delhi and Mumbai international airport.

By Rail
The rail head that lies nearest to the Ellora Caves comprises of the
Aurangabad railway station. It falls on the South Central Railway Line
and is situated about 30 km from Ellora.

By Road
Aurangabad city is located closest to Ellora Caves and is well
connected with them by road. From Aurangabad, also find buses and
taxis to Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nasik, Dhule,
Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Indore and Bijapur.